Laureth-7 Citrate is a chemical compound, an ester of citric acid and laureth-7, which is an ethoxylated fatty alcohol. It is used in cosmetic products as an emulsifier and surfactant, enabling the mixing of ingredients that typically do not combine, such as oils and water. Due to its foaming and cleansing properties, Laureth-7 Citrate is commonly found in cleansers, shampoos, and personal care products. It is valued for its ability to create a light, creamy foam and for its gentle conditioning effect on the skin and hair.

Chemical Composition and Structure
Laureth-7 Citrate is an ester derived from the combination of laureth-7 and citric acid. Laureth-7 is an ethoxylated long-chain fatty alcohol, which provides foaming and cleansing properties, while citric acid acts as a pH regulator and conditioning agent. The combination of these two components gives Laureth-7 Citrate good surface tension-reducing capabilities, improving the dispersion of ingredients in formulations.

Physical Properties
Laureth-7 Citrate typically appears as a clear or slightly yellow liquid. It is water-soluble and produces a stable, creamy foam when used in cleansers. This ingredient is known to be gentle on the skin, making it suitable for daily use in products such as shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers.

Chemical Industrial Synthesis Process

The production of Laureth-7 Citrate, a non-ionic surfactant derived from the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol and subsequent esterification with citric acid, follows a specific chemical process. This ingredient is valued in cosmetic products for its emollient properties and as a solubilizing agent. Here is a detailed overview of the process.

• Ethoxylation. Lauryl alcohol, primarily derived from coconut or palm oil, undergoes ethoxylation, a process in which the alcohol reacts with ethylene oxide to produce lauryl alcohol ethoxylates, in this case, Laureth-7.
• Esterification. The obtained Laureth-7 is then esterified with citric acid, a naturally occurring tricarboxylic organic acid found in many fruits. This reaction forms Laureth-7 Citrate, adding ester functional groups that enhance the solubility and surfactant properties of the product.
• Purification. After esterification, the product may contain impurities or by-products of the reaction that need to be removed. Purification can be carried out using techniques such as vacuum distillation or filtration to obtain a pure final product.
• Quality Control. The purified Laureth-7 Citrate undergoes quality control checks to ensure it meets the required technical specifications, including verifying the chemical composition, purity, and surfactant properties. These tests can include high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), spectroscopy, and physicochemical analyses.

Form and Color. Typically appears as a clear or slightly opalescent liquid.

What it is for and where

This ingredient is commonly used in cosmetics as an emulsifier, surfactant, and chelating agent. It has the ability to help blend water and oil-based ingredients, stabilize emulsions, and improve the compatibility of a product's components. Additionally, it can also act as a chelating agent, helping to stabilize the formula and enhance its efficacy.

Cosmetics - INCI Functions

Surfactant - Cleansing agent. Cosmetic products used to cleanse the skin utilise the surface-active action that produces a lowering of the surface tension of the stratum corneum, facilitating the removal of dirt and impurities. 

Cleansing agent. Ingredient that cleanses skin without exploiting the surface-active properties that produce a lowering of the surface tension of the stratum corneum. 

CAS   161756-30-5

Commercial Applications

Cosmetic Industry. Laureth-7 Citrate is used as a surfactant and emulsifying agent in various cosmetic products, including skin cleansers, shampoos, and bath foams.

Cleansing and Foaming Properties. Offers gentle cleansing properties and the ability to form foam, making it suitable for products intended for sensitive skin.

Skin Care. Employed in skin care formulations for its ability to reduce surface tension, facilitating the removal of dirt and sebum without irritating the skin.

Fragrance Solubilizer. Also used to solubilize fragrances in cosmetic products, improving the distribution of scent in the final product.

Safety

Generally considered safe for use in cosmetic products, but checking for any allergic reactions is always recommended, especially for individuals with sensitive skin.

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Petrovska, L. S., Baranova, I. І., & Bezpala, Y. O. (2019). The explanaton of the selection of basic detergents and secondary detergents for the development of foam means with minimum irritant action. Annals of Mechnikov institute, (2), 17-20.

Introduction. Modern detergents are different from those products which satisfied the needs of consumers of the last century (for example, they had a stable foam, a bright color due to synthetic dyes, sometimes rich liquorice smells, etc.). At the present time, the consumer has became more selective when choosing foaming agents of different orientation. According to expert data, he prefers precisely the foaming agents which, firstly, have a corresponding purifying (washing) effect; form a volumetric cream-like foam in water of any rigidity (except for shampoos based on non-ionic detergents or for special purposes such as" green"); well distributed and easy to wash off from skin, hair and mucous membranes; have the most low irritant action (due to the content of detergents and complex of additional" soft" action detectives); have a nice color and smell, the corresponding pH value; are economical to use and have a convenient packaging (for example, a bottle with a disk top or a trigger)[1-4]. Analyzing the entire information space, we noticed that manufacturers develop foam materials on the basis of classical technology, that is, they combine anionic, amphoteric, nonionic detergents, and also add auxiliary substances such as viscosity regulators, corients, pH values, and others. We also noted that the modern manufacturer began to prefer detergents or even their combinations, which in turn would have less irritant activity on the skin and mucous membranes [4-6]. In the development of any foaming agents in the first place, it is necessary to clearly understand for which part of the body it will be used. Because the composition and nature of detergents, viscosity and pH modifiers, as well as active substances, will vary depending on the field of application